Papers, Policies & Guides

Climate Action Planning Survey

The purpose of this summary is to provide insights learned from the most recent 2022 survey on that subject, as well as compare findings between the two survey years.

Climate Change Policy Guide

The Climate Change Policy Guide is a very timely publication by the American Planning Association and efforts by APA's Sustainable Communities Division. 

Embodied within the document are over 50 policies and hundreds of supporting strategies to help planners to proactively and effectively respond to a changing climate. The policies and strategies are organized by the six APA Sustainability Comprehensive Plan Standards categories, including the Livable Built Environment; Harmony with Nature; Resilient Economy; Interwoven Equity; Healthy Communities; and Responsible Regionalism. There is also a separate category focused on needed federal and state policies. 

During 2020, SCD took leadership on this update where every one of the principal authors was a member of the division. SCD will continue to develop resources, information, and best practices to support planners in their efforts to respond to changing climate and in creating sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities.

Climate Data Guide

The purpose of the Data Collection Process Guide is to provide guidance on accessible data collection or data calculation methodologies commonly associated with climate action for communities across the United States with emphasis on communities attempting to develop a climate action plan or greenhouse gas inventory. Communities are encouraged to reach out to state APA chapters, state agencies, regional planning bodies (including metropolitan planning organizations) or local organizations to see if more community-specific or local data is available to them.

 

Climate Development Review

The development review checklist is a valuable tool for putting forward the community’s GHG reduction, climate, or energy goals to developers and builders preparing to add to the community’s building infrastructure. The goal of the checklist is to identify whether proposal projects are designed to meet, or be able to adapt over time to, the community’s near and long-term energy and climate goals.

Climate Ordinance Summary

Planners can now explore a database of climate ordinances in the United States using a new web-based tool developed by the Great Plains Institute (GPI). GPI has been working with two divisions of the American Planning Association—the American Planning Association Sustainable Communities Division and the American Planning Association Environment, Natural Resources and Energy Division—to identify and help develop tools for planners working on climate change in their local communities.

Climate Change PAS Report

Two of SCD members are leading efforts to prepare a comprehensive update to the 2010 Planner Advisory Service (PAS) Report related to Climate Change. This new Climate Change PAS Report is pending publication mid-2021 and is intended to create a comprehensive resource for planners to better understand climate issues and best practices as it relates to climate readiness planning for resilient communities.

 

SUSTAINABILITY PAPERS AND REPORTS